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Building Language Skills During Early Childhood

50 Little Stories to Read by Jill Norris. Evan-Moor. This book contains 50 very simple reproducible story books for students to make and read. The stories center on experiences that young children might have at home, at school, and during holidays. They are appropriate for grades Pre-K-1.  Books are 4 pages each. EMC-743A. $$13.46-D

Activities for Oral Language Development by Jodene Lynn Smith. Teacher Created Resources, 2005.  Communication is a skill it's never to early to develop! This book will help teach children from Grades K-2 to develop their speaking and listening skills. Some of the activities include storytelling, puppetry, impromptu speaking, reciting nursery rhymes, mystery object speech, and reciting a poem speech. Reproducible activities for classroom use are included, as well as parent letters and mini-posters. 80 pages. BTH-4148. $9.89-D

Alphabet and Counting by Kim Thompson, Ken Carder, and Nancy Wright. ©2005. This colorful resource book, with the help of the accompaniment CD,  teaches the letters from A-Z in both upper and lower case, and to count  from 1-20, and by 10's. Included in the book /CD pack are the CD, which features The Animal Alphabet and other original music that help teach the skills., 26 animal alphabet art activities, alphabet learning activities, writing practice, beginning sound tongue twisters, The Animal Alphabet and Number Poem mini-books to make, read, and color, The Animal Alphabet Finger Puppets on heavy stock, and more. For ages 3-6. TWIN-242CD. $11.66-D

Alphabet Art with A to Z Animal Art and Fingerplays by Judy press. For ages 2-6. Make learning the ABC's fun with over 80 imaginative alphabet experiences:

    Play ABC Games such as ABC Call-Out Game, Alphabet Ship, Sound Match, and more

    Do Fun Fingerplays: My Kitty, At the Zoo, Inchworm, Mr. Turtle, and more

    Make Alphabet Letter Crafts and Alphabet Creature Crafts

Young children will be exposed to every letter of the alphabet in many different forms, both upper and lower case. and have fun while learning the letter shapes and sounds. They will create make-and-touch letters such as Bumpy Bs, Horrible Hairy Hs, Kissing Ks, Marvelous Macaroni Ms, Quality Quilted Q's adn more, all the way to Zany Zig-Zag Zs, which they can then proudly display.  WMSN-147. $11.66-D

Alphabet Cards, Games and Activities by Kim Fields. Teacher Created Resources, 2006. This book provides the following full-color teaching tools to help young children master beginning reading skills: letter cards, cross-curricular activity cards, and picture cards. Also included are reproducible reinforcement activities which can be used as a connection between home and school so that children can share their new skills with their parents. For grades PreK-K. 176 pages. BTH-3900. $19.79-D

Book Cooks: 26 Recipes from A-Z Inspired by Favorite Children's Books by Cheryl Apgar. Creative Teaching Press, 2002. 128 pages. For grades PreK - 1. No heat source required, but some recipes offer suggestions for adults using them. All recipes in this book are related to children's books and include an original poem, chant, or song that helps the children look language skills. The recipes themselves require very little preparation and promote a lot of student motivation to participate. You will also find book synopses, additional literature titles, step-by-step recipe cards, and over 50 cross curricular activities to tie everything together. AS children prepare these recipes, they will also be practicing skills such as measuring, counting, patterning, identifying shapes, and making fractions. At the end of the year the recipes can be made into a cookbook children can take home and keep. Some of the books that inspired the recipes are Johnny Appleseed, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Green Eggs and Ham, Inch by Inch, Guess How Much I Love You, Strega Nona, Harold and the Purple Crayon, The Quilt Story, Stone Soup, and many more. BTH-2500. $14.39-D

Clear and Simple Letter Locker: Letters A-Z by Nancy Jolson Leber and Liane B. Onish. Grosset and Dunlap, 2006. Books in this series feature a simple, but appealing design; repetitive, patterned activities; clear directions to help your child work independently; and bonus flash cards to reinforce early reading skills. In this book children will practice new letters by tracing and writing on each left-hand page and will discriminate among different letters on each right-hand page. The book includes 32 flashcards on card stock and a poster to color. 64 pages. For Grade K. BTH-3424. $4.49-D

Clear and Simple Get Ready to Read: Letter Sounds by Nancy Jolson Leber and Liane B. Onish. Grosset and Dunlap, 2006. Books in this series feature a simple, but appealing design; repetitive, patterned activities; clear directions to help your child work independently; and bonus flash cards to reinforce early reading skills. In this book your child will practice new sounds by reading and coloring on each left-hand page and will discriminate between sounds on each right-hand page. The book includes 32 flashcards on card stock and a poster to color. For Grade K. 64 pages. BTH-3425. $4.49-D

Core Skills Phonics Grade K, Steck-Vaughn, 2008. Books in this series help children to become successful and confident readers. Its skill specific practice pages link phonics with spelling, reading, and writing so that students may build their skills through integrated activities. The series covers the national Reading Panel guidelines for phonics, phonemic awareness, and comprehension. This book covers readiness skills, consonants, and short vowels. 128 pages. BTH-3764. $8.99-D

Finger Plays for Home and School by Jeanne and Arnold Cheyney. A Goodyear Book. For Preschool - Grade 1. These original finger plays combine rhythm and motor skills to promote language development, math concepts, and auditory discrimination. Topics include home, school, holidays, seasons, and animals. There are pictures to give visual directions for the hand and finger motions, while the illustrations by each selection bring the verses to life. Also included are patterns for finger puppets and suggestions for related supplemental activities. 44 pages. Workbook size. GY-38454. $6.95* Click image to enlarge it.

Getting Ready to Read by Shirley B Spriegel. Teacher Created Resources, 2004. This book teaches the sounds most often used for the letters of the alphabet and common digraphs. It's cross-curricular approach to beginning reading will appeal to students of all learning styles. There are literature-based activities for phonemic awareness, phonics, and the recognition of letters and sight words. Movement activities also engage children as they develop fundamental skills. You will also find appealing printing practice worksheets, science and art projects, popular literature selections and songs, easy-to-prepare snack suggestions, and personal mini books. 304 pages. For grades PreK-1. BTH-3748. $22.49-D

Getting Ready to Read: Readiness Fundamentals. An Evan-Moor Publication. The activities in this book will help young children develop their social, motor, listening, visual perception, and oral language skills -- skills which are prerequisites for learning to read. There is much overlapping between skills, and many activities will be helping to develop more than one. But each activity is still only classified under one skill. Social skills in the lessons include sharing, taking turns, being responsible, cooperating, solving problems, understanding one's own feelings, being aware of and sensitive to other people, and beginning to experience collaborative play.

In Section Two, on Motor Skills, activities help children develop both gross motor skills and fine motor skills. The activities give children the opportunity to move their bodies in many ways; locate and distant point and move to it; move smoothly while holding objects; roll, throw, and catch; follow movement directions; express creativity in movement; feel and move to a simple beat; use clay, paint, crayons, and more; draw and paint in an appropriate manner; and begin to use scissors.  Children will "Follow the Footprints," take a "Texture Walk," play "Monkey See! Monkey Do! and "Follow the Leader" and "All Aboard the Animal Train." They will use pantomime, obstacle courses, balance beams, ropes, hoops, beanbags, balls,, and even their fingers as they develop skills. Instructions and patterns for all suggested activities are included.

In Section Three, Listening Skills, children will use a number of these techniques: games and songs, dramatic play, movement activities, stories and poetry, and reproducible pages. These activities will help students develop listening skills, learn to follow oral directions, listen to others in a conversation setting, and recognized rhythm in music and poetry.  Student will also do some tasks with paper and pencils.

Section Four deals with visual perception skills and provides activities to help develop the ability to recognize objects by appearance; relate pictures and models to real places and things; recognize and build patterns; sort and match; compare; put things in logical order; put things together and take them apart; begin to recognize letters and numbers; and more.

Section Five deals with oral language skills  and provides opportunities for the children to talk with others about personally meaningful experiences; describe objects, events, and relationships; enjoying language with activities using rhyme and making up stories; dramatic play; and more.

Pages are reproducible for classroom use. 240 pages. EMC-389. $17.99-D

Help Your Child Learn to Read by Betty Root. An Usborne book. This book shows parents how to have fun with their children as they help them develop skills needed for reading. Beginning with simple things such as making the most of talking and listening, the author moves on to sharing books, drawing attention to words, playing games, reading aloud together, making and playing letter games, and encouraging readers to read. This book begins with activities to share with preschoolers, but it also progresses to skills for older children such as writing and spelling as each is related to reading. Parents are also introduced to methods used to teach reading, and  reading difficulties that are often encountered. At the end of the book is a list of the 300 words most often used in all written material which can be used for both instructing and testing children. 48 colorfully illustrated pages, including index. BTH-4251. $6.95* Out of print. One left.

LDA Langauge Cards Triple Pack Photo Nouns. Contains  three separate sets of nouns cards each of which features 35 single uncluttered photo cards picturing nouns. The three sets are Children's Toys, Children's Clothes, and School Accessories. These are printed on durable, coated board for years of use. They help children three and up develop vocabulary skills that extend their understanding. Each set contains teacher notes (in English and Spanish) with a wealth of activity ideas. This is a special buy with a normal retail  value of $39.99. Requires priority shipping (average $9.00, less in most parts of California.)BTH-4013. BTH-19.93-B

Learning with Nursery Rhymes by Jill Norris. Evan-Moor. This handy resource helps to teach language and math skills using 12 popular nursery  rhymes. Reciting the rhymes helps young learners develop phonemic awareness, learn their numbers and letters, practice beginning reading and math skills, and connect literature to real experiences. The book contains the reproducible work pages, including the illustrated rhymes pages, patterns and instructions for using headbands for dramatic play and retelling the rhymes, patterns for finger puppets, picture cards, word cards, and a "Know Your Rhymes" record card. 112 pages. For PreK-1. EMC-741. $13.46-D

Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten: Strategies, Activities, and Assessments for the Preschool Classroom by Laura Townsend. A Rigby Press book. 2003. This research-based book contains a wealth of playful and engaging activities that allow young children to enjoy learning while developing their motor skills, language skills, and mathematical knowledge. There are over 50 activities in all, with a scope and sequence for each. There are also parent-child activities that can be sent home, handy checklists for assessing progress, large and small motor developmental games, and sorting and sequencing cards for memory games. 175 pages. SV-24209. $15.29

Letter Works: Building Early Literacy Skills by Mary Ramming Chappell. Teacher Created Materials, 2003. Pre-K-1. Reproducible. 304 pages. Features week-long units for each letter of the alphabet that reinforce developing literacy skills. This book will help early childhood educators create language rich environments by reading quality children's literature aloud, introducing letter-sound associations, including phonemic awareness activities, and integrating literacy skills from many curriculum areas. Besides the read-aloud activities, songs, centers, and even snacks provide connections to language arts, social studies, math, and science. Units can be taught in any order. TCR-3289. $22.49-D

Literacy Centers and Activities for Nursery Rhymes Volume 1 by Bobbie Wilson, Karen Brown, et all. Teacher Created Materials, © 2004. For Pre K -1. Reproducible for classroom  use. Classic nursery rhymes are used to teach literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.  Meets Reading First requirements. The unit for each rhyme includes a full-color mini poster, a full-color action folder, full-color and reproducible puppet sets, sentence strips and full-color picture cards, reproducible mini books, and cross-curricular activities. Includes centers for the following rhymes: Hey Diddle, Diddle; Humpty Dumpty; Little Bo Peep; There Was an Old Woman; Hickory, Dickory, Dock; Mary Had a Little Lamb. TCM-3396. $17.99-D

Literacy Centers and Activities for Nursery Rhymes Volume 2 by Bobbie Wilson, Karen Brown, et all. Teacher Created Materials, © 2004. For Pre K -1. Reproducible for classroom  use. This book is designed to meet Reading First requirements with specific activities to enhance the study of nursery rhymes: a full-color mini poster, a full-color action folder, full-color and reproducible puppet sets, sentence strips and full-color picture cards, reproducible mini books, and cross-curricular activities. Includes centers for the following rhymes: Little Miss Muffet; Little Jack Horner; Jack and Jill; Jack be Nimble; three Men in a Tub; 1,2 Buckle My Shoe; and Little Boy Blue. TCM-3397. $17.99-D

Movement Activities A to Z by Holly Burns. Teacher Created Resources, 2007. For grades Pre-K to K. You can use the natural energy young children have to teach them the letters of the alphabet and their sounds. The activities in book provide and multi-sensory approach to developing basic reading skills. You will find a movement poem with variations for each letter; pocket chart cards; descriptions and pictures of body poses; short relaxation stories; movement minibooks; and cross-curricular reinforcement activities. 240 pages. BTH-4146. $22.49

Opposites and Visual Skills by Amy DeCastro. Teacher Created Materials, © 2003. For Pre K-1.  The attractive reproducible worksheets cover visual discrimination; positional words; opposites; and left and right, which encourages a natural flow of the proper reading direction and helps develop skill in abstract thinking.  48 pages. TCM-3229. $7.19-D

Prekindergarten Alphabet, by Steck-Vaughn. This book can be used by parents or teachers to introduce Pre-K children to the letters of the alphabet in a fun way. Teaching suggestions are given for both parents and teachers. Besides learning to recognize alphabet letters, students are also introduced to their sounds with the help of the pictures at the bottom of each page and the large picture in the center of the page. There are also alphabet poems for each letter of the alphabet and colorful heavy flashcards to punch out. 32 pages. SV-29181. $8.06-D

Preschool, Ages 3-4 by Beatrice Davis and Phyllis Berkowitz. Steck-Vaughn. Contains directions and activities for the following learning centers: Block Center; Social Studies/Dramatic Play Center; Math Center; Reading and Language Center; Science Center; Art Center; and Music/Listening Center. Includes Developmental Checklist, Junk Materials List for Center Use, Completed Activity Checklist, Center Usage Monitoring Record, Anecdotal Observation Form, Daily Report to Parents Form, Guide for Parent/Teacher Conference, Book List, and colorful alphabet/picture flashcards (just like those in SV-29181 and Sv-1222X) 96 pages. SV-12211. $11.66-D

Preschool, Ages 4-5 by Beatrice Davis and Phyllis Berkowitz. Steck-Vaughn. Contains directions and activities for the following learning centers: Block Center; Social Studies/Dramatic Play Center; Math Center; Reading and Language Center; Science Center; Art Center; and Music/Listening Center. Includes Developmental Checklist, Junk Materials List for Center Use, Completed Activity Checklist, Center Usage Monitoring Record, Anecdotal Observation Form, Daily Report to Parents Form, Guide for Parent/Teacher Conference, Book List, and colorful alphabet/picture flashcards (just like those in SV-29181 and Sv-12211) Though the format and themes of centers are just like the book for ages 3-4, the activities are more age appropriate for ages 4-5. 96 pages. SV-1222X. $11.66-D

Preschool Literacy Calendar by Judy Nyberg. Rigby-Steck-Vaughn. 320 pages. This research based resource for preschool teachers covers phonemic awareness, lessons for a full year, and great literature suggestions. it includes 48 weekly themes, over 200 daily themes, and over 1,300 activities. Student activities are reproducible. Here are the weekly themes:    

    September: Hello, Hello; My Family; Apples and Orchards; It's Fall
    October: Being Safe; Do You Know a Dinosaur?; At the Fire Station; It's Halloween
    November: In My Neighborhood; Going to the Grocery Store; Winter is Coming; Thanksgiving
    December: How Things Work; Pajama Party!; In My Home; Holiday Time
    January: Happy New Year!; Getting Along; Let It Snow!; Going to the Zoo
    February: Pick a Pet; Lots of Love; Staying Healthy; Oh, Those Five Senses
    March: By Body; Creepy, Crawly Creatures; Food from the Farm; Jobs People Do
    April: What's Green?; It's Spring; Hey, Birdie!; Watch the Garden Grow
    May: Now I Know; All About Baby Animals; Good, Better, Best; Off in Space
    June: Beautiful Butterflies; A Week of Celebrations; Bug Hunt; It's Summertime!
    July: Red, White, and Blue; The Best Stories; Story Bears; Rhyme Time
    August: When I Grow Up; Into the Woods; Water Fun; Circus, Circus

This all-in-one resource makes planning the curriculum easy. SV-85588. $21.59-D

Reading Games Grades PreK-K by Bridget Hoffman and Julie R. Mauer. Teacher Created Resources, 2006. This book provides colorful, ready-to-use games to encourage young children to practice important reading concepts while developing social skills. Twelve simple games are based on objectives and standards for these specific reading skills: letter recognition, initial consonant sounds, and ending sounds. For grades PreK-K. 176 pages. BTH-3901. $19.79-D

Sequencing by Jo Ellen Moore. Evan-Moor.  Provides a wide variety of sequencing activities for children from preschool to beginning readers. Reproducible cut-and-paste pages begin with 3-part picture stories and progress to 4-and 6-part stories, sequencing words into sentences, and finally sentences into  simple stories. 112 pages with answers. EMC-737A. $13.46-D

Sing and Read with Greg and Steve, Sing and Read Readers Variety Pack with CD, text by Greg Scelsa. Creative Teaching Press. Greg and Steve have made 12 of their favorite songs into delightful picture books: I Like Potatoes, Let's Go to the Market, Little Sir Echo, The World is a Rainbow, Months of the Year, Muffin Man, Friends Forever, Rainbow of Colors, Rhyme Time, Granny's Coming Around the Mountain, ABC Rock, The Number Rock. As children listen to and sing along with  the songs on the CD, they can learn to connect the written words with the words they are singing. Even I enjoyed the lively, rhythmic tunes. Books are 6.25" by 9" and have 12 pages each.   Pictures show front of package and back of package. BTH-3839. $45.78-D

Teaching Comprehension in PreK-K: Dynamic Strategies and Creative Lessons for Early literacy Success Plus Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Finger Plays  by Anthony D Fredericks. Rigby Press, 2005. The author presents the strategies of teaching reading comprehension before and while children are learning to read. This comprehensive resource for early childhood education includes lesson plans for the following picture books:

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

• The Napping House

• sheep in a Jeep

• Rosie's Walk

• No, David!

• Noisy Nora

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

• Happy Birthday, Moon

• The Snowy Day

• Ten, Nine, Eight

• Pancakes for Breakfast

• Many more

Other literature-based activities include nursery rhymes, song and drama activities, and finger plays. There are also suggestions for literacy centers, plans and schedules, and parent involvement activities. 240 pages. SV-9949X. $17.99-D

Year Round Preschool Reading by Brenda Strickland and Mary F. Green. Teacher Created Resources, 2006. These developmentally-appropriate activities, art projects, and interactive cards help preschoolers develop and reinforce reading and writing skills that are based on current standards. There are activities and assessments for each of the following skills: phonemic awareness; environmental print; visual discrimination; concepts of print; alphabet; phonics; and fine motor skills. Activities are reproducible for classroom use. 240 pages. BTH-3950. $22.49-D

You and Your Child: Reading Games by Ray Gibson. An Usborne book. This another book designed to help parents make learning reading skills fun for their children. Games played with letters and words can be a wonderful introduction to the pleasures of reading. All the projects in this book encourage the development of basic skills necessary for reading success. Your child will learn to observe, concentrate, listen and interpret information while building up an awareness of written and spoken language in everyday situations. Each project is brightly colored with instructions and notes for adults. BTH-4242. $6.95* Out of print. One left.

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